Snowmass Village at the base of Snowmass Mountain bustles with skiers and snowboarders.

Photo By Michael Paulsen/Staff

In Snowmass, the bar at the revamped Wildwood resort serves up Belgian beers and a hip vibe.

Photo By Melissa Ward Aguilar

Popular Italian restaurant Campo de Fiori in Aspen is known for its boisterous bar scene and handsome bartenders.

Colorful, modular seating at the bar at the new Wildwood hotel in Snowmass

Photo By Dan Leeth

Aspen, Colorado

The J-Bar at the newly reopened Hotel Jerome in Aspen has played host to many celebrities and late nights over the years. The late "gonzo" writer Hunter S. Thompson was a regular, calling the bar his "office."

Photo By Melissa Aguilar

Keele Loyd poses with her son at The Little Bird, her high-fashion designer consignment boutique in Aspen.

The J-Bar at the newly reopened Hotel Jerome in Aspen has played host to many celebrities and late nights over the years. The late "gonzo" writer Hunter S. Thompson was a regular, calling the bar his "office."

The Hotel Jerome, built in the 1880s, recently reopened in Aspen after months of renovation. It is located at 330 E. Main St., 800.331.7213.

The Hotel Jerome, built in the 1880s, recently reopened in Aspen after months of renovation. It is located at 330 E. Main St., 800.331.7213.

Hotel Jerome recently reopened in Aspen.

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The Hotel Jerome, built in the 1880s, recently reopened in Aspen after months of renovation. It is located at 330 E. Main St., 800.331.7213.

The Hotel Jerome, built in the 1880s, recently reopened in Aspen after months of renovation. It is located at 330 E. Main St., 800.331.7213.

New Prospect restaurant at Hotel Jerome in Aspen serves contemporary American cuisine.

Photo By David O. Marlow/Photographer

The 93 Western-chic rooms and suites at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen have been updated by Las Vegas based celebrity designer Todd Avery-Lenahan.

Photo By David O. Marlow/Photographer

The 93 Western-chic rooms and suites at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen have been updated by Las Vegas based celebrity designer Todd Avery-Lenahan.

Photo By David O. Marlow/Photographer

The 93 Western-chic rooms and suites at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen have been updated by Las Vegas based celebrity designer Todd Avery-Lenahan.

Photo By David O. Marlow

The 93 Western-chic rooms and suites at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen have been updated by Las Vegas based celebrity designer Todd Avery-Lenahan.

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INSIDER TIPS

Texans have long had a love affair with the Aspen/Snowmass area. Many have vacation homes there, or spend significant amounts of time skiing and enjoying all that the towns have to offer. We asked several Houstonians to share some of their must-hit haunts.

1. Splitting her time between Houston and Aspen, where she has a penthouse "in town" with her husband, Adrienne Gardner Zatorski grew up on a ranch near Aspen and says she spends 70 percent of the year there. Some of her favorite spots include the Aspen Mountain location of Gorsuch; Ralph Lauren, where she worked one summer; high-fashion boutique Nuages, which stocks a nice selection of Alaia; Italian luxury shop Loro Piana; and Casa Tua, a new rustic-chic private members club that has a Northern Italian restaurant and, per Zatorski, a "great bar upstairs."

2. When: Debbie Festari and husband Rudy, owners of Houston's Festari for Men store, jaunt to Aspen, they like staying at the "pricey but classic" the Little Nell, or their personal favorite, the hip the Sky Hotel. Of the latter, Debbie Festari says, "very funky and cool, and one of the best hotel bars in town." Other Festari faves include Italian fare at Campo de Fiori and Il Mulino; breakfast at Main Street Bakery &amp; Cafe; and nights on the town at the private Caribou Club.

3. Sixteen-year-old budding fashion designer Amir Taghi makes shopping stops at high-end retailer Dennis Basso - "best fur in Aspen," says Taghi - where Basso himself is known to be in the store, and J. Crew on the Mountain, one of five J. Crew "collections" stores in the nation. Taghi's can't-miss restaurants include Italian Mezzaluna, which he recommends as a first-night-in-town venue; Pacifica for seafood; and CP Burger "for a quick burger."

4. "It's my favorite place in the world. We were looking for a place to have a second home. The minute I landed in Aspen, I knew that was the place," says Lisa Holthouse, who with her husband Michael, their three kids and two dogs spend all summer in the mountain town. Her picks include the "bohemian but super chic" Henry Beguelin, with its handmade leather accessories; Pitkin County Dry Goods, which she compares to a Houston's Katia Boutique; dining on "amazing" sushi at Matsuhisa ("the first place I want to go"); live music at Belly Up; and daily yoga at King Yoga, or on the deck of her Aspen home, overlooking Maroon Creek.

5. For more than 20 years, Houston interior designer Lucinda Loya has been jetting off to Aspen, and started going with husband Javier and their two daughters 12 years ago. She has a three-bedroom apartment at the St. Regis Hotel Residences with room for an entire Aspen wardrobe. She recommends browsing the well-curated high-fashion labels at Distractions; dining at Matsuhisa; partying at Woody Creek Tavern; and skiing at Buttermilk, Highland and Aspen mountains.

6. Sue and Lester Smithlove Aspen. "Skiing in the winter, hiking, beautiful mountains, beautiful weather, and gathering with family and friends away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives in Houston - that is the best vacation of all." And when the couple visit, you may find them at restaurants such as French bistro Cache Cache or noshing on ribs at Hickory House; shopping at home goods store Amen Wardy and The Butcher Block for "incredible truffle goat cheese"; or checking out live bands at the Aspen Music Festival, Belly Up or the Caribou Club. But, the Smiths add, "the best entertainment is in our red barn-turned-ballroom for dance parties with friends."

This month, more than 200 extreme athletes will take to Buttermilk Mountain for ESPN's Winter X Games and, in February, the National Brotherhood of Skiers, the largest ski organization in the country, convenes in Snowmass to toast its 40th year anniversary.

And local businesses are keeping up the pace, with new and revamped hotels, stylish shopping, hot restaurants and plentiful places to party. Here's a taste of the latest and greatest happening in Aspen/Snowmass now.

SKI

Aspen/Snowmass has a reputation as a celebrity haven, but what draws the masses is the huge amount of skiable terrain across four mountains within a 10-mile radius: the challenging Aspen Mountain (nicknamed Ajax), vast Snowmass, Aspen Highlands and beginner-friendly Buttermilk. The four separate resort areas are connected by a free shuttle and a shared lift ticket.

Snowmass Mountain, with 3,332 acres of skiable terrain and 21 lifts, is the most expansive of the four. It also has a 4,406-foot vertical descent, the longest run of all the mountains in the area, at 5.3 miles - and the back-country Burnt Mountain is now accessible to all skiers. For families, Snowmass has major appeal with the Beginner's Magic at the top of the Elk Camp gondola and the Four-Mountain Kids at the impressive Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center.

STAY

Buzzy Snowmass is currently in something of a hotel renaissance. The brand new Westin Snowmass (100 Elbert, rates from $399) joined the pack of lavish lodges after a $55 million redo, as has the adjacent Wildwood Snowmass boho chic mountain retreat (40 Elbert, rates from $219).

"We did something no one else has done: create a family resort and fun," said David Wasserman, of Wasserman Real Estate, which partnered with Starwood Capital Group in the development of the two hotel properties.

The Westin's comfortably airy and elegant lobby and bar area invite guests to sit by the fire - or out on the adjoining patio for a slope-side view on a sunny day. Its 250 rooms feature the chain's signature Heavenly beds to ensure a good night's rest before a full day of skiing or snowboarding. The property also has a heated slope-side pool, hot tub and sun deck, private ski valet, a ski-in/ski-out Starbucks and an in-hotel kid's club.

The new Wildwood, operated by the Westin, is geared toward a more youthful, design-savvy clientele with its 151 rooms and six themed suites: imagine a mountain lodge playing nice with a midcentury mod urban hotel. Décor throughout is a mix of vintage, bright color-blocking, paintings by artist Wayne White, and accessories and staff uniforms by fashion designer Steven Alan. (Members of the New York-based Wildwood design team, Reunion, have worked on other similarly hip properties such as the Ace Hotel in Manhattan.)

Arguably Snowmass' most exclusive resort, the Viceroy (130 Wood, rates from $571), nestled in the Elk Mountains, remains a favorite.

Stay-over spots in Aspen have new updates, too. Aspen regulars will be happy to hear that the Hotel Jerome (330 E. Main, rates from $800) has reopened after a much talked-about five-month renovation.

The new look for the lobby of the venerable 123-year-old property, an Auberge Resort, and each of its 93 rooms combines the hotel's historic feel with new wallpaper, drapes, carpet, molding and updated amenities, said general manager Tony DiLucia. Las Vegas-based interior design superstar Todd-Avery Lenahan's revamp preserves and updates the hotel's legendary status with a mix of antique and modern. It's comfortable and elegant, with a clubby feel; unique touches like the elevators lined entirely with leather belts add pizazz, and the hotel now has a "starter spa" with three treatment rooms.

Meanwhile, the St. Regis Aspen Resort (315 E. Dean, rates from $495) boasts a $40 million renovation, masterminded by Houston-based design whiz Lauren Rottet. Inspired by a Gilded Age mountain manor, the 179 guest rooms feature winter grays and warm tones, as well as Ralph Lauren furniture. Per St. Regis custom, suites come with a butler, and the hotel's 10,000-square-foot Remède Spa is a nice place to relax. Sip on champagne and nibble chocolate in the main waiting area, then recharge in the oxygen room after your customized massage.

Independent boutiques are also perennially popular, especially among locals. It's easy to lose hours meandering around Pitkin County Dry Goods (520 E. Cooper), a jam-packed shop with contemporary clothing and accessories for men and women, which first opened its doors in 1969. Labels for ladies include Elizabeth & James, James Perse and See by Chloe; guys will find Rag & Bone, John Varvatos and Paul Smith. Accessories are peppered throughout, including leather boots, belts, handbags, scarves and more.

The Little Bird (525 E. Cooper) is a must-hit for vintage finds and pieces by sought-after designers - think Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. The 800-square-foot, intimate designer consignment boutique became so popular among Texans both buying and selling their wares that owner Keele Loyd opened a Little Bird store in Houston in 2011.

For high-end ski wear, Gorsuch rules the roost with two locations in Aspen - one at the "mall" (419 E. Cooper) and one at the base of Ajax Mountain (611 E. Durant) - and a store in Snowmass Village (49 Village Square). Gorsuch stocks a variety of weather-appropriate and après-ski looks by Bogner and Moncler, among other brands, as well as loungewear, Bottega Veneta accessories and a selection of warm and fox-furry footwear, including Uggs and Hunter by J. Mendel boots.

In addition to Gorsuch, which recently celebrated its 50th year in business, there are Patagonia and the North Face flagship stores in Snowmass Village.

EAT

Skiing or boarding all day can work up an appetite; both Aspen and Snowmass offer an array of dining options.

The new Chefs Club by Food & Wine restaurant at the St. Regis in Aspen has been winning raves among foodies. A unique concept, dishes dreamed up by past and present Food & Wine "Best New Chef" winners rotate twice a year on the menu - a recent visit featured creations by Michelin star chef Matthew Lightner of Atera in New York - while the magazine's editors customize wine and cocktail lists to complement the menus. The ambiance is equally enticing with a chocolate-and-white color scheme, a snowflake-patterned ceiling and an open kitchen.

Nearby, Hotel Jerome's new 65-seat Prospect restaurant, helmed by executive chef Rob Zack who started at the hotel 20 years ago, serves up contemporary American cuisine and a sinful chocolate layer cake.

Local favorite Ajax Tavern (685 E. Durant), at the base of Aspen Mountain, has an expansive slope-facing patio that's typically filled with skiiers. Menu hits include a fancy-Big-Mac-recalling cheeseburger with two thin double grass-fed beef patties and melty American cheese; Parmesan-topped truffle fries served in an upright cone; garden fresh salads; a raw bar; and entrees like a lamb T-bone.

Snowmass also has several new restaurants to tout. There's the new, $13 million, 300-seat Elk Camp restaurant, situated halfway up the mountain. Rather than ski-lodge-friendly burgers and fries, diners at Elk Camp get their pick of organic and locally harvested items, including salmon with sautéed veggies or wild mushroom pizza with fontina cheese. And the Westin's new fine-dining-tilting Snowmass Kitchen dishes out duck confit and arugula; seabass with potatoes beurre blanc; and a hearty New York Strip steak.

To fuel up before hitting the slopes, try Little Dill, a food truck permanently parked along the Snowmass Village mall. The overstuffed, made-to-order breakfast burritos with homemade salsa will keep you going till lunchtime.

PARTY

Aspen alights at night, with plenty of options to party well into the wee hours. The in-the-know may start their evening at Campo de Fiori (205 S. Mill). Though technically an Italian restaurant, the real attraction is its boisterous bar scene - and its reputation for having the sexiest, mostly-male staff in town. Customers posted up at the bar are likely to witness beautiful people flit in and out of the crowded space, sipping wine and flirting with one another; as the night progresses and the Top 40 music turns up, impromptu dancing might be in the cards.

Dancing continues at Escobar (426 E. Hyman) several blocks away. The basement-level nightclub, with its shiny, domed ceiling reminiscent of an old airplane hangar, plays host to dressed-to-impress pretty people who perch at the bar with cocktails to people watch or book tables for bottle service. High-profile DJs, such as New York Fashion Week regular DJ Kalkutta, have been spotted spinning beats at Escobar as well-oiled customers shake it on the laser-lit dance floor.

A younger, more casually dressed crowd congregates at Aspen Brewing Company (304 E. Hopkins), a brewery whose upstairs tasting room also serves as bustling bar serving microbrews, such as Pyramid Peak Porter, Ajax Pilsner and Independence Pass IPA in growlers and bottles. There's oftentimes live music on weekends.

And a trip to Aspen wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Hotel Jerome's iconic J-Bar. The watering hole is an ever-popular spot, where locals and visitors alike mingle under a tin ceiling at the original wood bar. (Though the hotel recently debuted its remodel, much of the bar was untouched. "There would be riots on Main Street if we messed with it," said general manager DiLucia.) Try a bourbon milk shake, the Aspen Crud, a favorite of J-Bar's most infamous patron, the late gonzo journalist and one-time Aspen mayoral candidate Hunter S. Thompson.

Meanwhile, in Snowmass the bar at the new Wildwood hotel is part beer hall, part hipster's paradise. There are two living-room-esque spaces on each side of the long, wood-wrapped Belgian-beer-serving bar, each with colorful, low-lying modular couches, fireplaces and clever vintage touches. Bold blue chairs and communal tables add punch to the place's convivial vibe.